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History of Science Museum

Painting (Oil on Canvas, Framed) of King Charles II, Artist Unknown, Probably 17th Century

Inventory Number 95496


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.95496

Subject
Paintings
Item type
Object
Provenance
Purchased from Mr St John Biven in 1954.
Primary inscriptions
"CHARLES II / 1630 - 1685 / Founder of the Royal Society" painted on a later wooden label.
Object type
Oil painting
Dimensions
Height: 870mm Width: 735mm Depth: 5.5mm Weight: 4300g
Inventory No
95496
Accession Number
1954-30

Description

The painting is believed to be painted during the lifetime of Charles II. Framed, unglazed. The painting shows a head and shoulders portrait of Charles II, looking out from a roundel. His gaze is to the right of the viewer. The frame appears to be gilt overlaid by gold paint. The reverse of the frame has two eye hooks and a nylon hanging string. There are two wooden keys at each corner of the canvas and the canvas is held in place in the frame by specially made wooden T's which are fixed by copper alloy screws.